About

What’s different about me:

My name is Debra Schroeder and I’ve been collecting frequent flyer miles since 1994.

A former travel agency owner for 12 years, I left the travel industry to pursue a career as a freelance travel writer.

“What I do have are a very particular set of skills; skills I have acquired over a very long career.” Skills that make me an asset to people like you.

Oops sorry, was channeling my inner Liam Neeson along with adding my own spin on the best movie line ever.

Thank God the movie Taken came out because it would have been awkward if I began this page with the first best movie line ever, “Inconceivable.” One could say it would be inconceivable.

Now that I’ve set the tone for this blog, a little seriousness with a side of humor, let’s get down to business.

Travel smarter, not harder:

I love traveling. It’s like breathing, I have to travel, I need to travel.

Since I pay for all my own travel I need to be frugal or at least know I’m getting a good value for the money I’m spending. I know how to find the deals, whether it’s a good value, and how to creatively finance trips. I’m all about the best deal possible, whether it’s a hostel, luxury resort, or somewhere in between.

This blog is about helping you: Make the most of your travel dollar. Traveling well for less. Saving money on travel without sacrificing quality. Traveling smarter, not harder. Maximizing your miles and points into travel adventures.

Staying out of jail:

I’m a full time working mom of two brats. Just seeing who was still reading. No one ever says their kids are anything but angels. My kids, traveling since they were babies, are now seasoned travelers. Diapers and sippy cups have been replaced by Nintendo DSs, iPods, Nexus 7 Google Tablet, laptops, you name a mobile electronic device and it’ll be in their backpacks.

I’d bring them on every trip, but the schools tend to get upset when they’re absent. Did you know you can only have 5 unexcused absences before your kid is truant and you have to go to jail? I don’t look good in stripes or an orange jumpsuit so my kids only get to travel when school is not in session. Homeschooling? Love the idea but not my thing.

Traveling during summer, holidays and school breaks can be expensive, unless you know how to plan and where to look. That’s where my expertise comes in. Follow me and learn.

Luke or Hans Solo?”

That was the burning question back in my day. Now it’s Team Edward or Team Jacob. Come on, is that even a question when one is the obvious choice? But I digress…

I love traveling with my family but the majority of my travel is solo. Thus, Traveling Well For Less will cover family travel, solo female travel, couple travel, active travel, and how to travel frugally. Basically a little of everything travel related wrapped into one.

Think of Traveling Well For Less like bacon. Everything is better when it’s wrapped in bacon.